How much does a dental filling cost in the United States?

How much does a dental filling cost in the United States? .

A tooth filling ( dental filling ) is used to repair damage to the teeth , such as cavities, fractures, or chips. If you’re planning to go to the dentist and think you might need some fillings, you may be wondering how much a filling costs. Your dental insurance may cover the cost of a filling, or you may need to cover all or part of the cost. There are several factors to consider in determining what your fill cost will be , here’s what you need to know.

Exam and x-rays

Common inspection and cleaning costs vary. Dentists charge different fees depending on your situation and where you live. In most places, an average checkup costs about $288 , which covers an exam, x-rays, and cleaning .

fillings

dental filling price Fillings, while more expensive than basic dental checkups, repair cavities and protect the future health of your mouth. Most of the fill treatments maintain stable prices in the following ranges:

  • $50 to $150 for a single silver amalgam filling.
  • $90 to $250 for a single tooth-colored composite filling.
  • $250 to $4,500 for a single cast gold or porcelain filling.

In most cases, prices can increase if a fill is “hard to reach.” A back molar, impacted tooth or other complications can cost more than a simple filling for a front tooth.

Additional costs to expect when you get a refill

Before a dentist makes fillings, they will usually take an X-ray to see the extent of the damage. Once it is determined that you need a filling, the dentist will need to prepare the tooth for the filling. This dental preparation may include anesthesia, then drilling to remove decay from the tooth before the repair and filling can be completed.

The extent of the drilling and tooth preparation is determined by the filling you choose. The cost of your filling depends on all these factors.

Will insurance cover the cost of a refill?

If you have supplemental health insurance, such as a dental insurance plan, the dentist can connect with your insurance company and get a statement of what will be covered and for how much.

Your health insurance plan may have limits on how much is covered for fillings each year. If you recently purchased your dental plan, you may also have a dental insurance waiting period before you are covered.

It is always best to check with your insurance before doing work, as health insurance plans may be different.

For example, if your dental insurance will pay 80% of the cost of the procedure, then you should expect to pay 20%. If your dental plan pays 50%, your cost will be higher. You’ll also want to check if you have a deductible to pay.

Choose the type of filling

There are several different types of fillers that you can choose from. Popular options include:

  • Composite resin (white fillings) will match the natural color of your tooth
  • Porcelain, inlay and onlay, and cast gold fillings are the most expensive fillings.
  • Metal or amalgam fillings are a mixture of metals, such as silver, tin, mercury, copper, and zinc.

Over the years, people have questioned the safety of mercury exposure from fillings. However, the American Dental Association ( ADA ), the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ( CDC ), and the US Food and Drug Administration ( USDA ) have published studies and statements that these have not been harmful to adults or children six years and older. and above.

Factors that determine the cost of a filling

There is no single answer to what your filling or fillings will cost because it depends on the individual damage you have to your tooth. Here are the different things to consider for the price of a filler:

  • The prices of the dentist performing the procedure may vary from other dentists.
  • What procedures will be performed before filling? A good example of something that will cost money before you get your fill is an x-ray. Your dentist may also want to clean or remove buildup on your teeth. Be sure to ask about the total cost of your visit, and not just the cost of the filling itself.
  • The stuffing material
  • The teeth affected by the filling; For example, some teeth will be more expensive to fill than others. If it is necessary to fill several surfaces of the tooth, the cost will increase. For example, if only the top of the tooth needs to be filled, then it will be much cheaper than if the sides need to be filled as well.

How much does it cost to fill a cavity without insurance?

One of the main factors in determining the cost of your filler has to do with the type of material you use. The table below compares the cost of cavity fill by fill type.

Tips to Save Money on Dentist Costs

You should always ask how much the procedures will cost before making a decision. If you have health insurance, you should ask them if they have a list of approved dentists. You can also search for a dentist through the American Dental Association or search for local dental schools that may offer you discounted services if you do not have insurance.

Dental Extractions

“Non-surgical” extractions and “surgical” extractions are necessary when a tooth cannot be repaired. Treatment costs depend on the length and difficulty of the visit. In general, both surgical and non-surgical extractions require anesthesia. Average cost of tooth extraction:

  • $75 to $300 for non-surgical tooth extraction with gum eruption.
  • $150 to $650 for a surgical removal under anesthesia.
  • $185 to $600 for complicated and soft tissue surgical removals.
  • $75 to $200 per wisdom tooth extraction.

Impacted teeth can also increase costs by up to $600, depending on the location of the tooth.

crowns

While fillings are needed to block internal damage to a tooth, crowns protect the “outer area” of the tooth. Crown placement typically follows root canal treatment, and the cost of a crown is tied to the base material. Crowns can vary widely in the materials used, and subsequently, the cost:

  • An average of $328 per individual resin crown.
  • An average of $821 per porcelain fused crown.
  • An average of $776 per high quality noble noble metal crown.

How much does a root canal cost in the United States?

Root canal treatment and impacted dental “root cutting” is used in patients with exposed, infected, or damaged tooth roots. Very often, the costs of root canal treatment are tied to the difficulty of the procedure.

  • An average of $120 for a single exposed root removal procedure.
  • An average of $185 for a single residual tooth root extraction procedure.

Does dental insurance save money?

Dental services can be expensive. Many patients try to avoid dental expenses by avoiding dental insurance altogether. While dental insurance coverage typically requires a monthly or yearly premium, and some upfront costs or co-pays, in most cases dental insurance actually reduces a person’s overall dental costs. Patients with “average” dental plans can reduce their costs by the following amounts:

  • 100 percent of annual routine care costs.
  • 80 percent of the costs of fillings, basic procedures and root canals.
  • 50 percent of the costs of bridges, crowns and other major procedures.

There are more dental insurance options than ever before, so it’s possible to find the right plan to balance your costs versus savings. According to research from the American Dental Association , the dental benefits marketplace in 2020 offers more choice for Americans and greater transparency from the federal government makes it easier to navigate the system. These governmental changes have made it easier to find information and get excellent coverage.